Days after Ondoy hit Metro Manila and other parts of the Luzon, I have’t heard any “big” news on government’s effort to extend aid to the victims of the typhoon’s wrath. Instead, it’s the support from the private sector is overwhelming than from those who should really provide.

Millions of pesos have been spent in foreign trips and even in provincial sorties of the President but why the government cannot allocate some funds for ‘disaster preparedness’ since Philippines is in the typhoon belt?  And the typhoons are getting worst. If the government can afford to charter some choppers for the Presidential visits in the provinces, why it cannot afford to buy a new one for the NDCC? Or why it did not initiate to hire choppers to rescue flood victims on the first day or second day of the tragedy?

The Palace has earlier made a ‘gimmickry’ by opening the gates of the Palace for relief operations and even as temporary shelters. But now they are taking it back?! Such a shame.

Also, Arroyo and her Cabinet would extend financial help by donating their two-month salaries. Naunahan na kayo  ni Mayor Duterte! Gaya-gaya? Sabagay, better late than nothing at all!

Also read:

The Manila Floods: Why Wasn’t the City Prepared?

Whew, look what’s happening in Cagayan De Oro City. I remember the days in 2001 and 2002  when I was assigned by Cyberdyaryo to do a story on the anti-illegal logging campaign of Task Force Macajalar in CDO. They put up a barricade near Xavier’s College of Agriculture and also near the location SM now.

I also recalled the denial of the DENR official of Region 10 that there was an illegal logging activities in his region. I was then a greenhorn reporter who set an interview to that official and ended up being scolded while denying that there were illegal logging activities in his region.

So, look at CDO now, it’s like a waterworld.